Memories of Matsuko

Kiraware Matsuko no isshô

Synopsis

Memories of Matsuko begins with Sho cleaning out the remaining belongings of his recently deceased aunt Matsuko. Sho gradually learns many details of his aunt’s life, and it is through his investigations that the audience learns the story of Matsuko’s past.

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Perhaps the most cheerfully depressing film ever made. I certainly admire the ambitious reach of this film, though I'm less certain of what the ultimate message is. The constant mawkish, maudlin sentiments undercut any type of profundity the film might have. The terrible CGI looks horribly dated and music videos are jarring. I really wanted to love this as I was a HUGE fan of 'Kamikaze Girls' but this was such a disa

this movie will go down as Tetsuya Nakashima first masterpiece.. this film hits two interesting tones that is rarely seen in a single film, viewer invested heartbreaking melodrama and stylized slapstick comedy..

i am cautious about recommending this movie, but i have never seen a movie that better depicts a lifetime of pain and disappointment for a despised, unwanted woman looking for love in hetero-patriarchal society. on a personal level, it is intensely relatable. also it is a campy Japanese musical

The first 20 mins are a stunning feat of aesthetic bravado but the end result left me feeling emptied in a way which did not feel useful, aesthetically gratifying or morally realistic. The use of kitsch CGI bubblegum imagery to show that happiness in hardship is delusional and yet with such a narrow focus beauty isn't given a fighting chance? We see so little of Matsuko outside of her relations w/ abusive men.

This film is so beautiful and touching I find it hard to find the words to tell why you should see this film. It is so moving and a labor of love from cast and crew that it is astonishing this film did not get a much wider release. I find myself tearing up just thinking of this wonderful ode to that relative you have seemed to lose contact with. WATCH THIS FILM and discover the Memory we called Matsuko.